Vol. XIV. No. 331. 



THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 



11 



ANTIGUA: REPORT ON THE BOTANIC STA- 

 TION AND EXPERIMENT PLOTS, FOR THE YEAR 

 ENDED MARC//:/, /.'//;. 



The rainfall recorded for the twelve months reported on, 

 was above the average of the three previous years, and better 



distributed, so that the appearam f-the Botanic Gardens 



has much improved. The number of plants sent oul from the 



nurseries, when compared with lasl Mar, has fallen off to a 



considerable extent. This may be attributed t<> the succession 



of dry years having had a discouraging effect on planters, 

 e-peeiall\ of lime trees. 



Among additions to the Botanic Station may be men- 

 tioned several species of Eucalyptus not previously grown 

 there, making the collection of these trees quite a good one. 

 .Some of the species are being found to be well worth planting 

 in Antigua, as they possess a capacity for resisting drought, 

 and yield excellent timber. 



The plot experiments with regard to root crops — sweet 

 potatoes, cassava, yams and tannias — -are continued, with a 

 view of definitely ascertaining which varieties give the largest 

 returns. In the case of sweet potatoes, these experiments 

 have been continuously made for the last fourteen years; 

 therefore the results, as tabulated in the report, may be 

 looked upon as reliable. In addition, a series of experiments 

 in plant selection of sweet potatoes is being begun, with a 

 view to obtaining increased yield. Varieties of cassava from 

 Montserrat, Jamaica, and Colombia are being cultivated for 

 experimental purposes, but this appears to be a crop of a very 

 uncertain yield. The plant selection of tannias and eddoes 

 seems to afford grounds for encouragement. It has not, how- 

 ever, been continued long enough to warrant making any 

 definite statement of results. Yams have been the subject 

 of varietal experimentation for the last fourteen years; there- 

 fore, as in the case of sweet potatoes, the tabulated results 

 may be received with confidence. Plant selection with this 

 crop also has been started. 



Continued trial maintains the position of Essex rape as 

 a valuable fodder crop in Antigua. Imphee also, apart from 

 the grain produced, seems to have done well as a fodder crop. 

 A local plant, known as beggar weed (Desmodiuni sp.), has 

 given satisfactory returns as a fodder plant and green dress- 

 ing. 



An interesting experiment as t<> the comparative advant- 

 ages in planting onion seed in nurseries, or directly in the 

 field, apparently leads to the conclusion that in order to take 

 advantage of the early markets, it would be well for the onion 

 glower to plant some of his crop directly in the field. 



An encouraging small experimental shipment of tomatoes 

 to the Canadian markets was made, and further efforts in 

 this direction will be continued. 



Experiments with papaws, a- to the yield of papain, and 

 ilr besl method of drying it, have resulted in the conclusion 

 that the growing of pa paw- for the production of this drug 



might possibly prove lucrative, especially as the collei tion ol 



papain, and the drying of it, do not require heavy or 

 particularly skilled labo 



The experiments with English potatoes, ground nuts, and 

 joja beans 3 ielded pooi results. 



Turning to tin- principal industries of Antigua, the 

 sugar-cane crop again suffered from dry weather) Thi 

 work of Gunthorpe's Central Factor} is noticed, show 

 ing that from 70,349 tons of cane received, 7, .(36 

 tons of sugar "ere manufactured. The poor yield of 

 canes is attributed to the unfavourable weather conditions. 

 In the Experiment Station, there have been raised a limited 



number of seedling varieties of sugarcane. The elimatie 



conditions of Antigua, however, d" not seem to favour any 



large production of these. The results of tield experiments 

 in connexion with sugar-cane varieties are dealt with in the 

 usual separate report of the Superintendent of Agriculture 

 for the Leeward Islands, which is shortly to be issued. 



A large portion of the present report consists of details of 

 experiments in the important work of cotton seed .-election, 

 and in the hybridization of cotton. This latter has been 

 carried on for four years with the object of endeavouring to 

 obtain a cotton which will produce good lint, and at the 

 same time be resistant to the leaf-1 dister mite. If success be 

 ultimately achieved, it will mean much to cotton growers. 

 The area under this crop in Antigua had increased by 

 332 acres, a noticeable feature being the number of small 

 growers. Unfortunately the average yield per acre was 

 much less than that of last season. The 150 acres of cotton 

 cultivated in the island of Barbuda, however, gave the good 

 return of 206 B>. of lint per acre. The poor yield in 

 Antigua is probably due to a great extent to the prevalence 

 of boll dropping, the causes of which, and the best means of 

 remedying it, are touched upon in the report. 



There does not seem to be much encouragement to any 

 great increase in the cultivation of limes in Antigua. 

 Existing lime plantations have done moderately well, but 

 neither climate nor soil seems specially adapted for this crop. 



The interest in coco-nut planting seems to be main- 

 tained, over 5,000 nuts for planting having been ordered for 

 next season from the Station. The drainage of plantations 

 will have to be attended to if success is to be assured. 



Two very encouraging lines of progess are to be noted: 

 (1) the success of the efforts of the Onion Growers' Associa- 

 tion on co-operative line- to place the export of their produce 

 on a sound basis, and (2) the similar efforts that are being 

 made with government co operation, by planters who cultivate 

 maize, to dry the corn, and to convert it into meal, with the 

 view in the first place of supplying the local market. The 

 first of these efforts may be considered to have achieved 

 a measure of success already, and it is hoped that a simi- 

 lar result will attend the second. 



In the section dealing with work connected with insect 

 and fungus pests, and their control, the Leeward Islands 

 root borer (Exophthalmm esuriens, is credited with exten- 

 sive damage done to the maize crop, and considerable 

 loss in the cane crop. It, also seems to be likely to give 

 trouble on lime plantations. Timely methods of destruction 

 and prevention are necessary. A hitherto unknown disease 



attacked the tuber- of yams in some places: observations and 

 investigations with regard to this are being conducted. 



From the conclusion of the report it would appear that 

 the Cadet system continues to work satisfactorily in Antigua. 



